Ho, April 23, GNA - The Rev Wilson Emmanuel Ashiegbie, the Acting Presbytery Chairman of the Ho Presbytery of the Global Evangelical Church=

(GEC), has called for the re-introduction of school farms and gardens. "Going back to the idea would prepare young people to grow in fellowshi= p with the land," he said.

The Rev Ashiegbie said this at the opening of the 2010 Ho Presbytery=

Conference of the Church in Ho on the theme, "Faithful stewardship: Key t= o Divine Blessing."

The Rev Ashiegbie described agriculture and farming as the first and=

most honourable occupation ordained by God and expressed worry that "even=

children in rural areas today are growing in enmity with the land." "These children see farming as a waste of time, curse and useless occupation."

He said the advanced economies and emerging industrial nations place= d agriculture first and put it at par with industrialization. the Rev Ashiegbie commended government for its Youth in Agriculture policy and called for its efficient management.

"If the managers and officers who eat into the account of the farm ar= e more than the workers who produce, this viable approach will disillusion the youth and drive away those who may be attracted to it," he said.